Erasmus+ funding topped the agenda in a spirited debate on April 15, 2026, within the European Parliament's CULT committee. The clash notably pitched Roxana Mînzatu from the European Commission against MEP Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski (EPP) and Sabrina Repp (S&D) over the size and flexibility of Erasmus+ funding. Zdrojewski and Repp pushed for a robust €50 billion budget, emphasizing Erasmus+ as the EU’s flagship educational programme requiring significant expansion. In contrast, Mînzatu advocated for a more flexible Erasmus+ budget with a planned increase of €41 billion, tying the program’s success to simplification, synergies, and responsive adaptations rather than rigid earmarking.
This session, held in Brussels, also featured a workshop on European film financing, revealing divergent views on supporting national film markets vis-à-vis fostering cross-border collaboration. Experts such as Martin Kanzler (European Audiovisual Observatory) highlighted structural fragmentation and the strong reliance on public funding in European film, especially in smaller markets. Tim Raats (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) underlined risks from waning broadcaster investments and limited streamer support, calling for protecting fragile creative sectors. Conversely, Alexander Riedl (DG Connect) emphasized existing cross-border support mechanisms through Creative Europe as valuable models for future frameworks.
Mînzatu concretely proposed expanding Erasmus+ inclusiveness by aiming for every European from school through VET and apprenticeships to have at least one Erasmus opportunity. She underscored the role of the ESF+ fund to boost support for disadvantaged learners. On the other hand, Zdrojewski and Repp pressed more for substantial budget pledges and structural earmarking to safeguard youth and sport strands within Erasmus+. They also expressed concerns about losing visibility of smaller youth organizations following program merges.
Regarding film financing, suggestions from academics like Cathrin Helen Bengesser pressed for policies enabling small-language market films’ international circulation and better discoverability, including potential AVMSD revisions that enforce transnational investment by VOD platforms. Meanwhile, Raats called for stronger copyright protection in the face of rising AI use threatening authorship and labor.
Consequently, the debates marked clear cleavages: between expanding Erasmus+ funding ambitiously versus adopting more flexible budget architectures; and between preserving national audiovisual identities through focused public support versus enhancing scale and cross-border cooperation supported by EU frameworks. These positions reflect broader tensions between EU integration and national sovereignty in educational and cultural policies.
Stakeholders impacted significantly include EU youth and students who would benefit from broader Erasmus inclusion but face uncertain funding levels; smaller youth organizations risking marginalization amid program merges; European filmmakers, notably those in small and medium markets reliant on public funds and cross-border circulation schemes; and emerging creative professionals navigating AI transformation risks.
Looking ahead, the European Parliament CULT committee plans to continue refining Erasmus+ files and film policy reviews, with contributions feeding into the Council's Culture Compass and upcoming Creative Europe successor programmes. Monitoring developments on budget allocation flexibility versus earmarking, and AI governance in audiovisual rights, will be key to balancing innovation with cultural preservation across the EU.